[Footnote 1: _Thy_ is pronounced as _thee_.]
[We have received many other communications respecting the
epithet of this insect--so great a favourite with children.
ALICUI and several other correspondents incline to L.B.L.'s
opinion that it takes its name from a fancied resemblance of its
bright wing-cases to the episcopal cope or chasuble. J.T.
reminds us that St. Barnabas has been distinguished of old by
the title of _bright_, as in the old proverbial distich intended
to mark the day of his festival according to the Old Style (21st
June):--
"Barnaby bright!
The longest day and the shortest night."
While F.E. furnishes us with another and happier version of the
Norfolk popular rhyme:--
"Bishop, Bishop Barnabee,
Tell me when _my_ wedding be;
If it be to-morrow day,
Take your wings and fly away!
_Fly to the east, fly to the west_,
_Fly to them that I love best_!"
The name which this pretty insect bears in the various languages
of Europe is clearly mythic. In this, as in other cases, the
Virgin has supplanted Freya; so that _Freyjuhaena_ and
_Frouehenge_ have been changed into _Marienvoglein_, which
corresponds with _Our Lady's Bird_. There, can, therefore, be
little doubt that the esteem with which the lady-bird, or Our
Lady's cow, is still regarded, is a relic of the ancient cult.]
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